Tumbler Apparatus

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, a tumbler apparatus comprises a metal roller padded with foam, a frame to give support and height to the roller and elastic bands connected at opposite ends of the roller to connect the roller to the frame. The elastic bands connect to support hooks on the frame risers.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/283,289, filed Sep. 10, 2008, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/971,323, filed on Sep. 11, 2007 and U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/971,330, filed on Sep. 11, 2007. Theentire teachings of the above applications are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

Tumbling devices are currently being marketed. These devices includevarious large foam devices, and various harnesses supported by guidewires and mounted to ceilings.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a tumbler apparatus comprises a metal roller paddedwith foam, a frame to give support and height to the roller and elasticbands connected at opposite ends of the roller to connect the roller tothe frame. The elastic bands connect to support hooks on the framerisers.

Accordingly, an apparatus comprises a padded support member; a framecomprising a base and a pair of vertical riser members; and a pair ofelastic band elements connecting the padded support member between thevertical riser members. Each elastic band element connects to one ofplural support hooks spaced at different heights along the correspondingvertical riser member. The padded support member may be shaped as acylinder and comprises a roller padded with foam material.

The frame may include a pair of frame sections, each section having ahorizontal base support member and a vertical riser member extendingfrom an intermediate portion of the base support member, and at leastone cross-beam member connected between the base support members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particulardescription of example embodiments of the invention, as illustrated inthe accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer tothe same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustratingembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example tumbler apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the example tumbler apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the example tumbler apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the example tumbler apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5A illustrates a support hook for use with the tumbler apparatus ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 5B illustrates a cross-section of frame tubing for use with thetumbler apparatus of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the example tumbler apparatus 100 includes a paddedsupport member comprising a metal roller 102 padded with foam 104, aframe 105 to give support and height to the roller and elastic bands116A, 116B connected at opposite ends of the roller to connect theroller to the frame.

The frame 105 includes a pair of frame sections, each section having ahorizontal base support member 106A, 106B and a vertical riser member110A, 110B extending from an intermediate portion of the base supportmember, and at least one cross-beam member 108, 112 connected betweenthe base support members. The vertical riser members are furthersupported by angled members 120A, 120B, 122A, 122B.

The elastic bands 116A, 116B connect to support hooks 114 on thevertical riser members. The support hooks are spaced at differentheights along the vertical riser members to allow for adjustment of theheight of the padded roller. In an embodiment, each elastic band passesthrough a carabiner that is attached to a corresponding support hook. Inan embodiment, sleeves made of plastic or other suitable material may beplaced over the roller and padding. Standard gym matting may be used tocover all or a portion of the frame base supports and cross-beams. FIGS.2, 3 and 4 illustrate front, top and side views, respectively, of theexample tumbler apparatus.

In an embodiment, the roller 102 is a standard industrial steel or othermetal roller of the type used in conveyor systems and available fromCVC, Inc. The roller is cylindrical and has bearings 126 at each endthat allow the roller to rotate about axis A-A. Bearings can be ballbearings, roller bearings, bushings or other suitable bearings. Thepadding may be made of a resilient material such as polyurethane foam orother suitable cushioning material. In an embodiment, the padding is afoam cylinder 12 inches in diameter and 24 inches in width and producedby Packaging Corporation of America. The elastic bands may be of a typemanufactured by Argo Enterprises.

FIG. 5A illustrates an example configuration of the support hook 114 foruse with the example tumbler apparatus. In an embodiment, the supporthook is made of round steel, though other suitable materials may beused. Other configurations may be used to attach the roller to theframe. FIG. 5B illustrates a cross-section of frame tubing for use withthe example tumbler apparatus, though other configurations of framingmay be used.

In operation, a tumbler stands between the frame base support membersand starts to perform a tumble. The tumbler's body may contact thepadded roller which gives support to the tumbler. As the tumbler'sweight is applied to the roller, the elastic bands that connect theroller to the frame stretch and provide spring to the tumbler (similarto having a coach spot the tumbler). The roller rotates about axis A-Awith movement of the tumbler over the padded roller. Both the springaction of the elastic bands and the rotational action of the roller helpthe tumbler to complete the tumbling movement.

The example tumbler apparatus as described features a padded supportelement that comprises a roller 102 padded with foam 104. In otherembodiments, the padded support member may comprise a foam structurewithout a roller, in which case the foam structure relies on the elasticbands to provide a measure of rotational action in addition to providingspring action. The padded support member may also have different shapesin addition to the cylindrical shape shown in FIG. 1.

Some advantages of the apparatus are that it allows a person to performtumbling without requiring a spotter; it provides a safe and efficienttool for teaching tumbling to people of various ages, heights, and skilllevels; it provides a stand alone teaching tool; it is designed to allowfor a high rate of repetition of exercises; it helps teach proper formand technique while learning to tumble; it allows people to practicetheir tumbling independently.

While this invention has been particularly shown and described withreferences to example embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus comprising: a padded support member; aframe comprising a base and a pair of vertical riser members; and a pairof elastic band elements connecting the padded support member betweenthe vertical riser members.